office bonding...

Sometimes, it takes an office field trip to induce real and true bonding. Last night, Kristin, Ben and I planned to check out a play in Marin, starring some people we kinda work with. We weren’t going so much to see these folks we know. We just wanted to have an adventure together.
As the play didn’t start till 7:30, we headed over to Kristin’s house for wine and snacks after work. As we sat around her huge and fabulous backyard, discussing our personal lives and drinking bottle(s) of wine, we suddenly didn’t want to go to the play anymore. It didn’t take long to justify the fact that our time would be better spent heading over the hill and having drinks at The Pelican Inn.
Ben grabbed my keys, threw them at me and said, “Let’s go before we change our minds!”
Listening to music and laughing all the way, we headed to Muir Beach and into the tiny and cozy pub of the PI. A hippy named Van played guitar in the corner as we ordered drinks and settled into a table with our wine and beer.
After a while, the hot Irish bartender grabbed the guitar and started singing U2, Ben laughing as Kristin and I were suddenly entranced and in love. We were having a great time, ordering drinks and gossiping about work. Soon, Van started eyeing Kristin and began to chat her up. The next thing I knew, the two of them were speaking in German to each other.
This is when it got weird.
Ben and I got up to throw some darts and soon, a funky, pony-tailed friend of Van comes over, introduces himself as Rex and asks how we all know each other.
“We all work together.” says Ben, inching away from him.
We tell him where we work, which send Rex into a tizzy. “I want to work there! You guys should hire me. I’m fucking awesome!”
Ben rolls his eyes, “Well, send over a resume, dude. I’m Ben. This is Beth. We’ll totally check it out.”
“Cool. Ken and Beth.”
“No, Ben and Beth.”
“Right. I’m sorry. Ben and Keth.”
“No, dude. Ben and Beth.”
“Oh shit, buddy. What’s wrong with me?” And with that, Rex drops his glass onto the floor of the pub, where it shatters it a million pieces.
Kristin stops speaking in German and comes over, grabs my hand and says, “Time to go.”
No shit, K. But Van and Rex won’t leave us alone, insisting on kissing us all goodbye. Kristin, having had a bottle of wine, actually gives Van her number before the three of us head out into the night. We grab on to each other as we stumble to the car, unable to believe the bizarre cast of characters packed into that tiny pub.
“Oh my god, you guys. That was so much better than some boring old play.”
“Fuck, yes.” says Ben. “If this is what it’s like going out with you guys, count me in…”